Method of operating an integrated switchable capacitive device

ABSTRACT

A variable capacitor includes a fixed main capacitor electrode disposed in a first metal layer overlying a substrate, a second main capacitor electrode spaced from the fixed main capacitor electrode, and a movable capacitor electrode disposed in the first metal layer adjacent the fixed main capacitor electrode. The movable capacitor electrode can be caused to be in a first position ohmically electrically connected to the fixed main capacitor electrode such that the variable capacitor has a first capacitance value or in a second position spaced from the fixed main capacitor electrode such that the variable capacitor has a second capacitance value.

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/077,702filed on Mar. 22, 2016 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,536,874), which is adivisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/957,544, filed on Dec.2, 2015 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,324,706), which is a divisional of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/264,227, filed on Apr. 29, 2014 (now U.S.Pat. No. 9,230,907), which claims the benefit of French Application No.1353945, filed on Apr. 30, 2013, which applications are herebyincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to integrated circuits and, more particularly, thefabrication of switchable capacitive devices.

BACKGROUND

Currently, within integrated circuits, there exist controllablecapacitive devices in the form of micro-electro-mechanical systems (orMEMS). In this regard, the article by DeReus et al. may be cited. Thisarticle is entitled “Tunable capacitor series/shunt design forintegrated tunable wireless front end applications,” MEMS 2011, Cancun,Mexico, 23-27 Jan. 2011, 2011 IEEE.

The capacitive device described in this article is based on a structureof the suspended bridge type comprising a metal membrane disposed at adistance from a lower electrode underneath a dielectric layer. When themembrane is at a distance from the dielectric layer, the capacitivedevice exhibits a first capacitive value, which is typically low.Whereas, when the membrane is actuated in such a manner as to come intocontact with the dielectric layer, the metal membrane/dielectriclayer/lower electrode assembly forms a capacitor having a secondcapacitive value, which is typically high.

The control of the flexing of the metal membrane is carried out byapplying a high voltage, typically of around 50 volts, in such a manneras to provide both a correct flexing of the mobile electrode and toensure a correct contact with the dielectric layer.

Quite apart from the fact that the technology used to fabricate suchdevices is a dedicated technology which is difficult to integrate into astandard CMOS process line, the necessity of applying a high voltage, ofthe order of several tens of volts, is a major drawback. Furthermore,the dielectric layer of the capacitor is, by construction, subjected tohigh stresses because the mobile electrode hits against the dielectriclayer during each movement.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, a switchable capacitive device is provideddisposed, at least in part, within the interconnection part (commonlydenoted by those skilled in the art under the acronym BEOL for Back EndOf Lines) and which may be fabricated by all CMOS process lines by thepotential addition of only a few additional operations (the addition ofone mask level for example), and without using the conventionaltechnology of the MEMS type.

According to one embodiment, a switchable capacitive device is providedthat does not require an activation high voltage for switching thecapacitive device from one configuration to another, and that does nothave a dielectric layer stressed by a mobile electrode.

According to one embodiment, a simple integration of such a switchablecapacitive device is provided owing notably to a lateral movement of aflexible arm in one plane, not requiring, in such a configuration, anymovement in a direction orthogonal to the plane.

According to one embodiment, the use of a capacitor of the MIM (MetalInsulator Metal) type is thus provided that is designed to beelectrically connected or otherwise to a mobile metal arm that may beactuated for example electrostatically. Thus, when the arm is in contactwith the MIM capacitor, the capacitive value of the capacitive device isthe capacitive value of the MIM capacitor. On the other hand, when themetal arm is not in contact with the MIM capacitor, the resultingcapacitive structure is composed of two capacitors in series, namely theMIM capacitor and the capacitor defined by the layer of air between thearm and a fixed body connected to an electrode of the capacitor or elsea part of this electrode.

According to a more general aspect, an integrated circuit is providedcomprising, on top of a substrate, an interconnection part (BEOL)comprising several metallization levels separated by an insulatingregion, commonly denoted by those skilled in the art under the acronymIMD (Inter-Metal Dielectric).

According to a general feature of this aspect, the integrated circuitcomprises at least one switchable capacitive device having an adjustablecapacitive value and comprising at least one switchable capacitive cell.

This switchable capacitive cell has a main capacitor, for example of theMIM type, and a metal system disposed, at least in part, in anaccommodation of the interconnection part, the metal system beingelectrically connected to the main capacitor.

The metal system comprises first and second metal elements, being mobilerelative to one another within the accommodation, and the metal systemis switchable between a first configuration in which the two elementsare mutually spaced out in such a manner as to form an auxiliarycapacitor electrically connected to the main capacitor and to thus givea first capacitive value to the capacitive cell, and a secondconfiguration in which the two metal elements are in mutual contact insuch a manner as to give a second capacitive value to the capacitivecell.

Although not required, the two metal elements are advantageouslysituated within the same metallization level, which thus allows anextremely simple implementation and a lateral movement of the two mobileelements relative to one another, in the same horizontal plane.

Several variant embodiments are possible for the metal system and forthe disposition of the main capacitor with respect to the metal system.

Thus, according to one embodiment, the first metal element comprises atleast one region of a metal arm being mobile within the accommodationand able to be actuated.

This mobile metal arm in the accommodation can be rigidly attached to awall of the accommodation, either directly or indirectly by means ofpins in such a manner as to form for example an assembly in the shape ofa cross.

The metal arm mobile within the accommodation may also pass through awall of the accommodation via an opening so as to be rigidly attached toa metallization of the interconnection part situated outside of theaccommodation.

The second metal element can comprise a fixed metal body. This fixedbody may be connected to a first electrode of the main capacitor or elsebe formed directly by at least a part of the first electrode.Furthermore, this fixed metal body is disposed in the firstconfiguration facing and at a distance from the region of the mobilearm.

According to a first variant, the main capacitor, for example ametal/dielectric/metal capacitor (MIM capacitor), is situated within theaccommodation and can comprise a first electrode connected to the secondmetal element or at least a part of which forms the second metalelement.

In this case, the first electrode and the two metal elements areadvantageously situated within the same metallization level, a factwhich further facilitates the integration of the device.

According to another variant, the main capacitor, for example ametal/dielectric/metal capacitor, is situated outside of theaccommodation, for example within the interconnection part (BEOL), andthen comprises a first electrode connected to the second metal elementvia a metallization passing through an opening formed in a wall of theaccommodation.

In the case where at least one wall of the accommodation comprises anopening through which, at a distance from the edges of the opening, ametallization passes that comes into contact with a part of thecapacitive device situated inside of the accommodation, it isparticularly advantageous, but not indispensable, notably in order toreduce the risk of degradation of the external environment of theaccommodation, for the integrated circuit to furthermore comprise anelement, for example a metal plate, external to the accommodation,configured so as to form an obstacle to the diffusion of fluid out ofthe accommodation through the opening, typically when the capacitivedevice encapsulated within the accommodation is de-encapsulated.Moreover, the metallization then passes through the external element.

Although the metal system comprising the two elements can be switchablein various ways, for example thermally, it is particularly advantageousfor the capacitive cell to furthermore comprise an actuator configuredfor generating an electrostatic field between the two metal elements,the metal system being designed to be in one of the configurations inthe absence of an electrostatic field and in the other configuration inthe presence of the electrostatic field.

Such an electrostatic actuation has a particularly low power consumptionand does not require the application of a high voltage. This istherefore particularly compatible with advanced CMOS technologies whosesupply voltages are low, typically of the order of a few volts.

By way of example, the actuator can comprise an electrically conductingactuation element, for example a metal plate, disposed facing the metalarm, and a generation element configured for applying a first supplyvoltage to the metal arm, for example ground potential, and a secondsupply voltage to the actuation element, for example a positive voltage.

Various embodiments are possible for the first metal element of thecell, and various dispositions of the main capacitor, of the actuationelement and of the fixed body relative to each other are possible.

Thus, by way of example, the first element of the cell can be in theshape of a cross and comprise a beam held so as to pivot by at least twopins rigidly attached to walls of the accommodation. The beam definestwo mobile arms on either side of the pivot point. The beam and the pinsare made of metal and situated within the same metallization level.

The actuation element can be situated facing one of the arms and thefixed body facing the other arm, the actuation element and the fixedbody being respectively situated on either side of the beam.

The main capacitor and the fixed body can be situated facing the samearm.

According to one embodiment, the switchable capacitive device maycomprise several capacitive cells, the metal systems of these cellsbeing individually switchable.

This allows a capacitive device to be formed capable of taking acapacitive value chosen from amongst a predetermined set of capacitivevalues, which is particularly advantageous, in particular in wirelesscommunications applications, in order to be able to tune to differentbands of frequencies and/or for switched-capacitance filters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent uponexamining the detailed description of non-limiting embodiments, and ofthe appended drawings in which:

FIGS. 1 to 24 relate to various embodiments and variants of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

In FIG. 1, the reference CI denotes an integrated circuit within which aswitchable capacitive device is situated. The capacitive device has anadjustable capacitive value and comprises at least one switchablecapacitive cell CEL. The cell CEL is accommodated, at least partially,within an accommodation LGT.

As will be seen in more detail hereinafter, the cell CEL and theaccommodation LGT are formed within several metallization levels (herefour metallization levels M3, M4, M5, M6) and several (here three) vialevels (V3, V4, V5) of the interconnection part RITX of the integratedcircuit CI. This interconnection part is commonly denoted by thoseskilled in the art under the acronym BEOL (“Back End Of Lines”).

This interconnection part is located on top of the substrate SB of theintegrated circuit and on top of the components, such as the transistorsTR formed within and on the substrate SB.

As is conventional in this field, the metal tracks formed within thevarious metallization levels of the integrated circuit are, for certainof them, mutually connected via interconnection holes or vias, all ofthese tracks and vias being encapsulated within an insulating region RISwhich can be formed from one or more electrically insulating materials.

In FIG. 1, the accommodation LGT comprises a lower part having a bottomwall PI at the metal level M3, a side wall PLD formed at the via levelsV3, V4 and V5 and also at the metal levels M4 and M5. The accommodationLGT also comprises a wall PLG formed at the level of vias V3, V4 and V5and also at the metal levels M4 and M5. This wall PLG comprises anopening OUV1 through which a metallization MTL1, formed at the metallevel M5, passes.

The accommodation LGT is closed by a cover with holes CPT comprisingseveral orifices OR. Here, the cover CPT is formed at the metal levelM6. The cover CPT is, in this example, covered by a layer C2, forexample of silicon nitride or an oxide of silicon, aimed at partiallyblocking the orifices OR. The layer C2 is covered with a layer of oxideRIS in such a manner as to close the orifices OR and to allow thesubsequent formation of the various higher via and metallization levels.However, if the last metallization level is reached, the upper layer RISis replaced by a conventional passivation layer.

The capacitive cell CEL comprises a main capacitor CDP comprising ametal lower electrode E1, formed at the metal level M4, and a metalupper electrode E2 formed between the metal levels M4 and M5. Adielectric layer DL, for example of silicon dioxide, of silicon nitride,or another material, is situated between the two electrodes E1 and E2.

In the example, shown schematically in FIG. 1, the lower electrode E1forms part of a lower metal plate PQI. The cell CEL also comprises, inthis example, a mobile arm BR designed to come, as will be seen in moredetail hereinafter, into contact or otherwise with the lower plate PQIand hence into contact or otherwise with the lower electrode E1 of thecapacitor CDP.

The metallization MTL1 comes into contact, by means of a specific viaVT, with the upper electrode E2 of the capacitor CDP.

As will be explained in more detail hereinafter, during the fabricationof the device, the elements contained within the accommodation LGT areencapsulated within an insulating material. Then, the whole assembly isde-encapsulated by circulation of a fluid through the orifices OR. Inthis example, the capacitor CDP, accommodated within the accommodationLGT thus hollowed out, is held by virtue of the metallization M5 and ofthe via VT. With regard to the arm BR, in this example, this is rigidlyattached to the wall PLD of the accommodation.

On the other hand, when the de-encapsulation fluid flows within theaccommodation LGT filled with insulating material, the latter can escapethrough the opening OUV1 and damage the external environment of theaccommodation. Accordingly, although not absolutely indispensable, anelement PLQ, here a metal plate formed at the metal levels M3, M4, M5,M6 and at the via levels V3, V4 and V5, is advantageously providedexternal to the accommodation LGT and configured so as to form anobstacle to the diffusion of fluid out of the accommodation through theopening OUV1. The metallization M5 penetrates into the accommodation LGTthrough the opening OUV1 and, as will be seen in more detailhereinafter, at a distance from the edges of the opening OUV1 in such amanner as to avoid a short-circuit with the wall PLG, so as to come intocontact, in this example, with the second electrode E2 of the capacitorCDP.

The metallization M5 furthermore passes through the wall PLQ.

The diffusion of the de-encapsulation fluid is therefore reduced so asto form for example a cavity CV of limited size within the insulatingmaterial RIS.

Reference is now more particularly made to FIGS. 2 to 4, which areessentially schematic, in order to describe the general principle ofoperation of the device in relation to one embodiment.

More precisely, in FIG. 2, a first element of a configurable metalsystem is an arm BR rigidly attached to a wall, for example the wall PLDof the accommodation, and mobile within the accommodation LGT. The armBR comprises a region ZN which is situated at a distance from thecorresponding region (here forming a second metal element of the system)of the lower plate PQI incorporating the lower electrode E1 of thecapacitor CDP.

The region ZN of the arm BR therefore forms, with the correspondingregion of the plate PQI, a gap ESP.

Furthermore, actuator MACT is provided in order to allow the arm BR togo from the configuration illustrated in FIG. 3 to the configurationillustrated in FIG. 4.

As will be seen in more detail hereinafter, this actuator MACT can be anactuator of the electrostatic type.

In FIG. 3, corresponding to a first configuration of the metal system,the region ZN of the arm BR is at a distance from the correspondingregion (forming a fixed body) of the plate PQI. For this reason, thisregion ZN of the arm BR, the corresponding facing region of the platePQI, and the layer of air situated in the gap ESP form an auxiliarycapacitor which, here, is connected in series with the main capacitorCDP.

For this reason, the capacitive value CEL of the cell has a firstcapacitive value in this first configuration.

More precisely, the inverse of this first capacitive value is equal tothe sum of the inverse of the capacitive value of the auxiliarycapacitor CDX and of the inverse of the capacitive value of the maincapacitor CDP.

In the second configuration of the metal system, illustrated in FIG. 4,the arm BR has been moved according to the arrow FL by the actuator MACTin such a manner that the region ZN is in electrical contact with thecorresponding region of the lower plate PQI. This therefore gives asecond capacitive value to the cell CEL. More precisely, this secondcapacitive value is equal to that of the capacitor CDP.

It should be noted that, in this example, the arm BR (first metalelement), the fixed body (second metal element) connected to theelectrode E1 of the main capacitor (and here forming an integral part ofthe plate PQI), together with the first electrode of the capacitor CDPare fabricated within one and the same metallization level.

This greatly facilitates the integration within the BEOL part of theintegrated circuit by using conventional CMOS process lines. This alsoleads to a lateral displacement of the arm with respect to the fixedbody.

Furthermore, the fact that the arm BR comes into contact with a fixedbody connected to the main capacitor CDP avoids it directly hittingagainst the dielectric layer DL of the capacitor CDP. Consequently, thelatter is not subjected to any stress, and this is all the more truesince the displacement is lateral.

However, although a lateral displacement, corresponding to thefabrication of all the elements within the same metallization level, isparticularly advantageous, it is not out of the question to provide avertical displacement of the arm so that it comes into contact forexample with the lower part of the plate PQI, at the expense of aslightly more complex fabrication of the cell CEL.

Reference is now more particularly made to FIG. 5, which is a partialtop view of another embodiment of a capacitive cell CEL.

In this exemplary embodiment, the mobile arm BR is fixed onto the wallPLD, and it can accordingly be flexed. The second metal element here isformed of a fixed end-stop BT connected to the plate PQI andconsequently to the lower electrode of the capacitor CDP by a metalconnection element ELI. The plate PQI, the element ELI and the end-stopBT are formed within the same metallization level. The arm BR is alsoformed within this same metallization level.

Here, the actuator MACT is of the electrostatic type and comprises anactuation element ELCT here composed of a metal plate formed, in thisexample, here also in the same metallization level as the end-stop BT,the arm BR and the plate PQI of the capacitor CDP.

The actuation element is connected to a voltage generator GEN via ametallization MTL2 passing through the wall PLD of the accommodation LGTthrough an opening OUV2.

In this embodiment, the actuation element and the main capacitor CDP areboth accommodated within the accommodation LGT and are disposed oneither side of the metal arm BR. Furthermore, the fixed body BT and theactuation element are situated on the same side of the metal arm BR.

The metal arm BR is spaced from the actuation element ELCT by a gap SPC,whereas the end of the metal arm BR is separated from the end-stop BT bythe gap ESP in such a manner as to form, in the first configuration, theauxiliary capacitor.

In the example described here, the wall PLD of the accommodation is setat ground potential, and when no voltage is applied to the actuationelement ELCT, the mobile arm BR remains in the configuration illustratedin FIG. 5.

On the other hand, when the generation device GEN applies a voltage, forexample a positive voltage, to the actuation element ELCT, anelectrostatic field is then created in the gap SPC which will attractthe mobile arm BR towards the actuation element ELCT and, consequently,will bring the end BR of this arm into contact with the end-stop BT insuch a manner as to place the cell in its second configuration.

Whereas in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the arm BR was directlyrigidly attached to the wall PLD, the first metal element EL1 of thecell, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, has the shape of a ‘T’and comprises the arm BR held so as to pivot by two pins PT1, PT2rigidly attached to walls BD1, BD2 of the accommodation LGT.

Furthermore, so as to promote the flexing of the arm BR when it iselectrostatically actuated, it is advantageously designed for the endsof the pins PT1 and PT2 rigidly attached to the arm to define a pivotpoint PVT. For this purpose, the ends of the pins PT1 and PT2 may forexample be beveled. The arm BR is therefore mobile about the pivot pointPVT.

Here again, the element EL1 and the actuation element ELCT areadvantageously formed within the same metallization level in such amanner as to obtain a lateral displacement of the arm in the planecontaining this metallization level.

It is also possible, as illustrated in FIG. 7, for the first element EL1of the cell CEL to have the shape of a cross and to comprise a beam PTRheld, preferably so as to pivot, by two pins PT1, PT2 rigidly fixed tothe walls BD1 and BD2 of the accommodation.

Thus, the beam PTR defines, on either side of the crossing point betweenthe pins and the beam (preferably the pivot point), two mobile arms BR1and BR2 on either side of this point PVT. The actuation element ELCT isthen situated facing one of the arms, for example the arm BR2, whereasthe fixed body BT is situated facing the other arm BR1.

Furthermore, the actuation element ELCT and the fixed body BT arerespectively situated on either side of the beam PTR.

Moreover, in this embodiment, the capacitor CDP and the fixed body, herethe end-stop BT, which is rigidly fixed to the plate PQI of thecapacitor CDP, are situated facing the same arm BR1.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, the element EL1 stilltakes the form of a cross but, this time, the second metal element ofthe cell comprises two fixed bodies (two end-stops) BT1 and BT2 rigidlyconnected to two main capacitors CDP1, CDP2. The two fixed metal bodiesBT1 and BT2 are respectively situated on either side of the beam PTR andrespectively facing the two arms BR1 and BR2. The two main capacitorsCDP1 and CDP2 are furthermore respectively situated opposite twoactuation elements ELCT1 and ELCT2 and, as can be seen, the two maincapacitors are respectively connected to the two fixed bodies situatedon the other side of the beam PTR.

In this embodiment, the capacitive value is divided between two maincapacitors of the MIM type and the actuation is effected by twoelectrostatic actuation elements, which is a more efficient arrangement.

In this respect, as illustrated in FIG. 9, it is even more efficient, aspreviously indicated, to provide a pivot point PVT with, for example,pins PT1 and PT2 beveled at their attachment point to the beam PTR.

The actuation element ELCT1 of the cell CEL is then spaced from the armBR1 by a gap SPC1, whereas the actuation element ELCT2 is spaced fromthe arm BR2 by a gap SPC2. Furthermore, the end of the arm BR1 is spacedfrom the end-stop BT1 by a gap ESP1, whereas the end of the arm BR2 isspaced from the end-stop BT2 by a gap ESP2. These two gaps ESP1, ESP2are preferably identical. Similarly, the gaps SPC1 and SPC2 arepreferably identical.

For the purposes of simplification, the two main capacitors CDP1 are notshown in this FIG. 9. Indeed, the latter may be accommodated within thecell within the diagonal different from that containing the actuationelements ELCT1 and ELCT2, as illustrated schematically in FIG. 8, orelse accommodated outside of the accommodation, in another part of theinterconnection part RITX (BEOL).

The FIG. 10 shows three curves illustrating, for the structure in FIG.9, the change in the distance separating the actuation element from thecorresponding arm as a function of the voltage applied to the actuationelement. In the example described here, it is assumed that the gap ESP1between the free end of the arm BR1 and the end-stop BT1 is for exampleequal to 0.22 microns. The curve CB1 corresponds to an arm BR1 (or BR2)having a length of 10 microns, a width of 0.5 microns and spaced (gapSPC1) by 0.3 microns from the actuation element.

The curve CB2 corresponds to an arm BR1 (or BR2) of length 24 microns,of width 1 micron, still with a gap SPC1 of 0.3 microns.

Lastly, the curve CB3 corresponds to an arm BR1 (or BR2) of 24 micronsin length, of width 0.5 microns and again spaced by 0.3 microns from thecorresponding actuation element ELCT.

It can then be seen, on the curve CB1, that a voltage of around 11 voltsneeds to be applied to the actuation element in order to obtain thecontact between the arm and the end-stop, in other words to fill the gapESP1.

With a structure corresponding to the curve CB2, this voltage can bereduced to around 6 volts.

On the other hand, with a structure corresponding to the curve CB3, thecontact is obtained with a voltage of around 4 volts, which is forexample lower than the supply voltage (5 volts) used in a 130 nanometertechnology.

Thus, in such a technology, it is not necessary to provide, for such anarm structure, for example a switched-mode power supply, so as to raisethe actuation voltage above the supply voltage.

Thus, by way of example, it is possible to fabricate a capacitive cellwith a surface area of 25 μm², using silicon nitride as dielectric witha thickness of 320 Å, having a capacitive value capable of beingswitched between 5 fF and 50 fF in around 1 microsecond with a 0-5 Vcontrol voltage.

The switchable capacitive device can comprise, as illustrated in FIG.11, several capacitive cells, for example disposed in a matrix, eachbeing associated with one or more actuation elements. Furthermore, themetal systems (first and second elements of these cells) areindividually switchable by means of their respective actuationelement(s). This allows the capacitive device to be switched intovarious configurations in such a manner as to obtain a broad set ofdifferent and predetermined capacitive values.

In FIG. 11, the cells CELij are all accommodated within theaccommodation LGT and are of the type that has been described withreference to FIG. 7.

In FIG. 12, the cells CELij, also all accommodated within theaccommodation LGT, are of the type of those described with reference toFIG. 8 or to FIG. 9.

Whereas in the embodiments which have just been described the maincapacitor CDP of the cell was also accommodated within the accommodationLGT, it is perfectly possible, as illustrated schematically in FIG. 13,for the main capacitor CDP to be located outside of the accommodationLGT, preferably within the interconnection part (BEOL) of the circuit.However, the main capacitor could also potentially be fabricated withinthe substrate of the integrated circuit. Nevertheless, irrespective ofthe location of the main capacitor CDP within the integrated circuit, itis connected to the fixed body BT of the metal system of the cell CEL byan electrical connection, typically a metallization MTL3 passing througha wall of the accommodation, for example the wall PLG, through anopening formed in the latter.

In the example described here, the first metal element EL1 has the shapeof a cross with a single actuation element ELCP. However, this part ofthe cell CEL disposed within the accommodation LGT could be structurallyidentical to some of the embodiments that have previously been describedfor capacitors disposed within the accommodation LGT.

Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 14, even with capacitors CDPdisposed outside of the accommodation, it is possible to provide aswitchable capacitive device DIS comprising several capacitive cellshaving their metal system individually switchable by means of theiractuation element ELCTi. Furthermore, the fixed bodies BTi of thesecells can be connected via metallizations situated at the metal leveln−1 to the main capacitors CDPi, whereas the first metal elements ELliof these cells are formed at the metal level n.

The accommodation LGT comprising the various walls and covers, theswitchable device DIS and the plate PLQ are formed simultaneously andprogressively along with the fabrication of the various metallizationand via levels of the interconnection part RITX. The capacitors are, fortheir part, formed, as far as their upper electrode is concerned,between two metallization levels.

The steps for fabrication of the metallization and via levels and ofelectrodes are conventional steps that may notably be found in thestandard fabrication process lines of CMOS technologies.

More precisely, after formation of a metal level i−1 and of the vialevel i−1, the various metal portions of the metal level i are formed ina conventional manner by etching of the underlying oxide RIS and metaldeposition, for example of copper, in the trenches.

Then, the whole assembly is covered with oxide and the metallizationlevel i+1, together with the via levels i, are subsequently formed.

This process is repeated as many times as is necessary to form thesuccessive metallization and via levels.

This is illustrated very schematically in FIG. 15 with regard to theconstruction of the wall PLD for example.

As previously indicated, the accommodation LGT is closed by the coverwith holes CPT comprising (FIGS. 1 and 16) several orifices OR. Here,the cover CPT is formed at the metal level M6.

As will be seen in more detail hereinafter, in a first phase, the deviceDIS is encapsulated in the insulating material RIS of theinterconnection part RITX, then liberated in a second phase, followingetching away of this material RIS from the cavity of the accommodation.

Furthermore, as previously indicated, the metallization MTL1 (FIG. 1)passes through the opening OUV1 of the wall PLG and comes into contactwith an element of the device DIS, in this case the upper electrode E2of the main capacitor CDP.

As illustrated in FIG. 17, which is a cross-sectional view, the wall PLGin which the opening OUV1 is formed extends, as does the wall PLD, overthe metallization levels M3, M4, M5 and M6 and the via levels V3, V4 andV5.

The opening OUV1 is bounded in the direction D1 (vertical direction) bya first portion of the wall PLG situated in the upper metallizationlevel, in this case a part of the cover CPT, and by a second portion ofwall PM40 situated in the metallization level M4 connected to a portionof the bottom wall PI by a portion of via PV30.

The opening OUV1 is bounded in a second direction D2 perpendicular tothe first direction (here the horizontal direction) by third and fourthportions of wall extending facing one another over the metallizationlevel M5 and over the two via levels V4 and V5 framing thismetallization level.

More precisely, the third portion of wall comprises a portion PV40situated at the via level V4 underneath a portion of metal track PM50underneath another portion PV50 situated at the via level V5.

Similarly, the fourth portion of wall comprises a portion PV41 situatedat the via level V4 underneath another portion of metal track PM51underneath a portion PV51 situated at the via level V5.

Furthermore, the through-metallization MTL1 runs at the metallizationlevel M5 while being separated from the metal portions PM50 and PM51, inother words, being electrically insulated from the wall PLG.

By way of example, in the case of an accommodation LGT taking the formof a parallelepiped, the length of the accommodation, and the width, canbe in the range between 10 and 100 microns, whereas the height, which ofcourse depends on the number of metallization and via levels used toform the accommodation, can be in the range between 2 and 3.5 microns.

The height of the opening OUV1 may be in the range between 1 and 1.7microns and the gap (counted in the direction D2) between themetallization MTL1 and each of the metal portions PM50 and PM51 (FIG.17) is determined by the DRM (for Design Rules Manual) and can be in therange between 0.36 micron and 3 microns.

As previously indicated, the integrated circuit CI also comprises ametal plate PLQ (FIG. 1 and FIG. 18) rigidly attached to themetallization MTL1. This plate PLQ is disposed opposite the opening OUV1and here consequently extends over the metallization levels M3, M4, M5,M6 and the via levels V3, V4 and V5. However, this plate could alsospill over from the opening and consequently extend over additionalmetallization levels and additional via levels.

More precisely, as illustrated in FIG. 18 which is a cross section alongthe line V-V in FIG. 1, the plate PLQ comprises a lower metal portionPLQ3 formed at the metal level M3, a portion PLQV3 formed at the vialevel V3, a metal portion PLQ4 (metal level M4), a portion PLQV4 (vialevel V4), two metal portions PLQ50 and PLQ51, formed at themetallization level M5 and framing the metallization MTL1. In practice,the metallization MTL1 and the portions PLQ50 and PLQ51 form one and thesame metal part.

The plate PLQ furthermore comprises a metal portion PLQV5 formed at thevia level V5 and, finally, a metal portion PLQ6 formed at the metallevel M6.

The plate PLQ is separated from the opening OUV1, so as not toshort-circuit the metallization MTL1 with the bottom wall PI and thecover CPT.

By way of example, the thickness of the plate can vary between 0.2 and 1micron. As regards the gap between the opening OUV1 and the plate, thiscan vary between 0.12 and 1 micron.

The external element that forms an obstacle to the diffusion of thefluid FL for de-encapsulation of the device DIS can have differentstructures.

It is thus possible, as illustrated in FIG. 20, for the external elementthat forms an obstacle to the diffusion of the fluid to furthermorecomprise an external metal box BT rigidly attached to the wall PLG. Thisbox BT contains the plate PLQ and has a box opening OUVB. The plate PLQis disposed between the wall opening OUV1 and the box opening OUVB andthe metallization MTL1 passes through the box opening OUVB withoutmaking contact with the metal walls of the box BT so as, here again, toavoid an electrical short-circuit with the accommodation LGT.

Instead of being a plate, the external element may, as described in theFrench Patent Application no. 1350161, be a tunnel TN rigidly attachedto the wall PLG around the opening OUV1.

Once the various elements of the device have been formed, an etchingaway of the insulating material RIS from the accommodation and ade-encapsulation of the device DIS and of the through-metallization MTL1are carried out with a fluid penetrating into the accommodation via theorifices OR of the cover with holes CPT.

The fluid also propagates outside of the accommodation LGT via theopening OUV1 so as to etch away the insulating material RIS disposedbetween the wall PLG and the plate PLQ.

The through-metallization MTL1 then passes through the opening OUV1(FIG. 19) while being at a distance from the edges of this opening OUV1so as to avoid an electrical short-circuit with the wall PLG.

On the other hand, the diffusion of the fluid out of the accommodationvia the opening OUV1 is blocked by the external element formed in thisembodiment by the plate PLQ. This external element PLQ therefore formsan obstacle to the diffusion of the fluid out of the accommodation LGTthrough the opening OUV1 and hence limits the risk of a deterioration ofthe external environment of the accommodation LGT.

By way of example, the fluid may first of all be a plasma used in anisotropic dry etch operation, then for example hydrogen sulphide used ina wet etching.

After this operation for etching away of the insulating material RIShaving enabled the de-encapsulation of the device DIS and in the presentcase the de-encapsulation of the arm which then becomes mobile withinthe accommodation, a conventional cleaning of the cavity of theaccommodation is carried out, for example with an aqueous solution.

The dielectric material of the layer DL of the capacitor CDP can be thesame material as the material RIS. Indeed, the gap between the twoelectrodes is sufficiently small for the dielectric material to subsistafter de-encapsulation of the capacitor by the de-encapsulation fluid.

However, it is possible, as illustrated in FIGS. 21 to 24, to provideanother dielectric material for the capacitor, for example Ta₂O₅. Asillustrated in FIG. 21, the dielectric layer of Ta₂O₅ is first of allsandwiched between the two metal layers C7, C8 that will form the twoelectrodes of the capacitor CDP.

Then, as illustrated in FIG. 22, the upper metal layer, the dielectriclayer and the lower metal layer are etched in a conventional mannerknown per se, so as to form the upper electrode E2 and the dielectriclayer DL lying on the lower plate PQI. Then, a protection layer CPR, forexample of silicon nitride, is deposited onto the whole assembly (FIG.23) which will in part be etched away during a plasma etch process whileleaving behind lateral protections SPR (FIG. 24).

What is claimed is:
 1. An integrated circuit, comprising: anaccommodation; and a variable capacitor disposed, at least partially,within the accommodation, the variable capacitor, comprising: a firstcapacitor electrode disposed in a first interconnect layer overlying asubstrate; a second capacitor electrode disposed in a secondinterconnect layer overlying the first capacitor electrode; and amovable capacitor electrode coupled to a wall defining theaccommodation, the movable capacitor electrode being adjacent to thefirst capacitor electrode, the movable capacitor electrode beingswitchable between a first configuration and a second configuration,wherein the movable capacitor electrode is ohmically coupled to thefirst capacitor electrode in the first configuration and capacitivelycoupled to the first capacitor electrode in the second configuration. 2.The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the movable capacitorelectrode is rigidly coupled to the wall of the accommodation.
 3. Theintegrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the movable capacitor electrodeis pivotally coupled to the wall of the accommodation.
 4. The integratedcircuit of claim 3, further comprising a first pin rigidly attached to afirst wall of the accommodation and a second pin rigidly attached to asecond wall of the accommodation, wherein the first pin and the secondpin define a pivot point, and wherein the movable capacitor electrode ismovable about the pivot point.
 5. The integrated circuit of claim 1,further comprising an actuation element configured to switch the movablecapacitor electrode between the first configuration and the secondconfiguration.
 6. The integrated circuit of claim 5, wherein theactuation element is disposed in the first interconnect layer.
 7. Theintegrated circuit of claim 6, wherein the actuation element isdisposed, at least partially, within the accommodation.
 8. Theintegrated circuit of claim 1, wherein the movable capacitor electrodephysically contacts the first capacitor electrode in the firstconfiguration, and wherein the movable capacitor electrode is spacedapart from the first capacitor electrode in the second configuration. 9.An integrated circuit, comprising: a movable electrode disposed in afirst metal layer; a fixed capacitor having a first plate disposed inthe first metal layer and a second plate disposed in a second metallayer overlying the first metal layer, wherein a first sidewall of themovable electrode is directed toward and spaced apart from the firstplate; and an actuator, wherein a second sidewall of the movableelectrode is directed toward and spaced apart from the actuator, whereinthe movable electrode is configured to switch between a first positionand a second position in response to an electrostatic field generated bythe actuator.
 10. The integrated circuit of claim 9, wherein the movableelectrode is ohmically coupled to the first plate in the first positionand capacitively coupled to the first plate in the second position. 11.The integrated circuit of claim 9, further comprising: a firstconductive element spaced apart from the actuator and the secondsidewall of the movable electrode; and a second conductive elementcoupling the first plate of the fixed capacitor to the first conductiveelement.
 12. The integrated circuit of claim 11, wherein the movableelectrode physically contacts the first conductive element when themovable electrode is in the first position, and wherein the movableelectrode is spaced apart from the first conductive element and thefirst plate when the movable electrode is in the second position. 13.The integrated circuit of claim 12, wherein the movable electrode isconfigured to move toward and physically contact the first conductiveelement in response to the electrostatic field generated by theactuator.
 14. The integrated circuit of claim 9, further comprising avoltage generator electrically coupled to the actuator via ametallization line.
 15. The integrated circuit of claim 14, furthercomprising a cavity, wherein the movable electrode, the fixed capacitor,and the actuator are disposed at least partially within the cavity,wherein the voltage generator is disposed outside the cavity, andwherein the metallization line passes through a wall defining thecavity.
 16. The integrated circuit of claim 15, wherein the wall is setat a ground potential.
 17. An integrated circuit, comprising: aswitchable capacitor comprising: a first capacitor comprising a firstelectrode and a second electrode overlying the first electrode; and athird electrode adjacent to the first electrode, wherein the thirdelectrode is configured to be resistively connected to the firstelectrode in a first configuration such that the switchable capacitorhas a first capacitance value, and wherein the third electrode isconfigured to be capacitively connected to the first electrode in asecond configuration such that the switchable capacitor has a secondcapacitance value different from the first capacitance value.
 18. Theintegrated circuit of claim 17, further comprising a dielectric layerinterposed between the first electrode and the second electrode.
 19. Theintegrated circuit of claim 17, further comprising a cavity disposedwithin an interconnect region comprising a plurality of metallizationlevels separated by insulating regions, wherein the switchable capacitoris disposed at least partially within the cavity.
 20. The integratedcircuit of claim 17, wherein the third electrode is switchable betweenthe first configuration and the second configuration in response to anelectrostatic field.